IRVING FLORES AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ SEXTET

ARMANDO MI CONGA

Amor de Flores Productionsl / ADF Records

Irving Flores, piano/composer; John Benitez, bass; Horacio ‘El negro’ Hernandez, drums; Brian Lynch, trumpet; Giovanni Hidalgo, congas; Norbert Stachel, saxophone/flute/clarinet.

Pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader, Irving Flores was born in Veracruz and raised in the Gulf of Mexico.  He has always been hypnotized by Latin rhythms and music, including the Afro-Cuban influence.  He fondly remembers dancing in the kitchen with his grandmother to her collection of danzón records. Even his childhood toys were musical instruments.

In fact, his house was full of music.  His father was founder of the Tampico Orchestra. He also led his own big band. That band toured the U.S.A, Central and South America. There was always music in the Flores household.  Irving’s first instrument was the organ.  He also learned to play the alto saxophone, even joining his father’s Super Combo Band. He dedicates one song on this new album to his father called “Recuerdos.”

Irving Flores’ Afro-Cuban Jazz Sextet opens with that title tune, “Armando Mi Conga.”  Flores composed this tune for a dear friend and conga player, Armando ‘Pinaca’ Espinosa. This original composition is full of infectious rhythms, high energy and excitement.  It’s a great way to start this album of afro-Cuban rhythms, demonstrating the complex Latin compositions written by Irving Flores.

“Gary en Nanchital” is a song reflecting one of the greatest Cuban rhythms known as el danzón. Irving Flores, based in San Diego, California, recorded this album in New York City.  He knew he would be closely scrutinized. He soars on his piano solo.

“We recorded this as the first tune. … I could see doubt mixed with curiosity hiding behind their eyes.  Man did I bust out a killer piano solo.  Back in the booth, I was received with high fives, fist bumps, and compliments for my playing and my composition.  I passed the test.  I had arrived and was accepted by the greatest living Latin Jazz artist in NYC.  The rest is history.  You can hear it in this recording,” Irving Flores bragged happily.

His song “Amanda in Favignana” is a composition inspired by a trip Flores made to Italy.  Brian Lynch was the perfect trumpeter to be featured on this tune.  The melody is catchy and reminded me a little bit of the jazz standard “Four” when it first begins, but it quickly establishes its own unique melody.  Lynch adds spark and punch with his trumpet solo.

Irving Flores plays solo piano on the very beautiful “Tramonto A Massa Lubrense” ballad. Midway through the arrangement he is joined by John Benitez on bass and Horacio ‘El negro’ Hernandez brushing the drums into place.  The Benitez bass solo is stellar. Flores shows his tender side on the 88-keys. The addition of Norbert Stachel on flute to “Samba Con Sabor” adds sparkle to the tune.

On a song called “Music en La Calle” the percussionist and the drummer get to spotlight their authentic and brilliant percussive abilities. Flores gives a nod to Thelonious Monk on this tune.

Here is an album that offers a glimpse into the life and talent of Irving Flores, a master keyboardist and an impressive composer. He and his gifted sextet saturate the listener with spirited Afro-Cuban jazz tunes, beautiful Latin rhythms and emotionally executed ballads.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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